You just invested $200,000 in a barn renovation. New ventilation systems, softer bedding, automated cleaning. The whole operation looks modern and efficient. Six months later, mastitis rates dropped 15%. That’s good news. But milk per cow barely improved. Some animals still struggle. Others thrive in the exact same environment. Here’s what’s actually happening: better facilities…
Veterinarians have traditionally focused on animal health, not breeding decisions. Pregnancy checks, reproductive disorder treatments, disease management protocols; these are the familiar responsibilities. But what if your role could expand beyond reactive care into strategic breeding advisory? Herd performance and profitability increasingly depend on identifying cows that combine high milk output, strong health, and reproductive…
Dairy Cow Management: Beyond Single Metrics You track milk production religiously. Every test day, you review the numbers. High producers get extra attention, low producers get flagged for culling. It’s straightforward, right? Not quite. Research shows that focusing on single metrics often masks the real story of a cow’s value to your herd. A cow…
Dairy Herd Management: Why Comparing Cows to Your Herd Average Matters Introduction You know your top cows by name. The ones that consistently fill the tank, rarely get sick, and breed back quickly. But what about the rest of your herd? Most dairy farmers track individual cow production, but few truly understand how each animal…
Why Lifetime Data Beats Single Lactation Records Introduction You check your latest test day results. Cow #847 produced 75 pounds yesterday. Solid numbers. But here’s what those numbers don’t tell you: she’s had three bouts of mastitis across four lactations, her actual lifetime milk production is 15% below herd average, and she’s quietly costing you…
The $18,000 Hidden Pitfall Most Farmers Miss For illustration purposes, we have a hypothetical farmer named Sarah, who runs a 150-cow dairy operation in Ontario. Last year, she bred 42 cows based on what looked like solid production numbers. Good current milk yields, decent genetic scores, reasonable health records. Six months later, her consultant ran…